Charles Lindbergh, fighter pilot?

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Charles Lindbergh, fighter pilot?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 1, 2003 2:49 PM

I'm watching a documentary on the History channel about the P-38. Apparently they were having fuel economy problems when they first came out. The military asked the worlds foremost expert on fuel conservation Charlie Lindberg to help. He suggested reducing the engine to 1400 rpm's @ 30 inches of manifold pressure. Pilots were skeptical, so he agreed to fly with them. While flying as a civilian observer he shot down an enemy fighter. Upon hearing this, he was quickly brought back to the states.

I found that to be pretty interesting.

Charles Lindbergh, 1 sortie = 1 kill.

Not to bad, maybe I will vote him as the greatest fighter pilot.

Darren

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FreedomEagle1953

Member since
December 2012

Posted by FreedomEagle1953 on Saturday, March 1, 2003 5:48 PM

I believe I have seen that same documentary on the History channel about Charles Lindbergh. I had never seen or heard that fact about him before. He truely was quite a pilot..

Have you ever seen the old movie with Jimmy Stewart playing Charles Lindbergh, I believe the name of it was "THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS" ... ??? Great movie, great actor ... Jimmy Stewart I believe flew B-17's over Europe in the second world war. I have heard that he was a great pilot too.

FreedomEagle1953

Chicago, IL area

"keep on building 'em ... but don't glue your fingers together"

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Saturday, March 1, 2003 8:48 PM

Lindberg also flew Corsairs with the Marines and taught them the same thing to good effect. Bye the way, James Stewart flew B-24's, not B-17's.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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FreedomEagle1953

Member since
December 2012

Posted by FreedomEagle1953 on Saturday, March 1, 2003 8:54 PM

... Keyworth/

Thanks for the correction on James Stewart flying B-24's rather than B-17's. Wasn't real sure on that.

thanks again !

FreedomEagle1953

Chicago, IL area

"keep on building 'em ... but don't glue your fingers together"

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Saturday, March 1, 2003 8:57 PM

When Jimmy Stewart flew as group leader, no a/c wre lost. Not bad air leadership!

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 1, 2003 9:04 PM

I was aware that stewart was a ww2 pilot. I never saw the movie your referring too. I did see the one he was in about SAC, I think the title is Strategic Air Command or SAC, I can't remember. He was a B-36 pilot, that was a good movie.

I too had never heard that little tidbit about Lindbergh. What a great show it was.

Darren

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therriman

Member since
January 2003
From: Central MI

Posted by therriman on Saturday, March 1, 2003 9:21 PM

In Strategic Air Command Jimmy Stewart flew a B-47, at least in the final flight before he is grounded. I never saw the first part of the movie.

I had read in a book when I was a teen that yes Lindbergh did shoot down at least one Zeke in a P-38.

Tim H. "If your alone and you meet a Zero, run like hell. Your outnumbered" Capt Joe Foss, Guadalcanal 1942 Real Trucks have 18 wheels. Anything less is just a Toy! I am in shape. Hey, Round is a shape! Reality is a concept not yet proven.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 1, 2003 10:44 PM

In the beginning of the movie he started out in B-36's then transitioned to B-47's. Thanks for the reminder Blush [:I]

.

Darren

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Sunday, March 2, 2003 10:39 AM

Did you know Lindbergh was an anti war activest? He even went to Germany in the late 30's and told the American people that Germany did not want war. He visited the aircraft manufacturing plants and even commented on how their aircraft were much better than any thing operated by the allies. He was very outspoken against supplying England and France with aid. How times change.

Berny

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jcarlberg

Member since
December 2002
From: USA

Posted by jcarlberg on Sunday, March 2, 2003 10:48 AM

OK, so Lindbergh was a complicated man with more than a bit of tragedy in his life. Though he was widely regarded as a Nazi sympathizer because of his remarks after his guided tour of Germany, he did serve his country in the war, as well as being a genuine pioneer of aviation.

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Sunday, March 2, 2003 10:01 PM

Lindberg was a true pacifist, as opposed to a Nazi sympathizer-BIG difference! When the U.S. became fully involved in WWII, he made every effort to join the military to offer his expertise in some fashion, but was turned down because of public perception. To his everlasting credit, he volunteered as a civilian advisor to teach the aviators in the Pacific techniques and tricks to get the best results from their aircraft. He was credited with at least one Japanese aircraft downed while flying P-38's with the likes of Tommy McGuire, Charles McDonald and Dick Bong! Not a bad crown to hang out with! He also flew with the Marines, as I mentioned in an earlier reply.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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wayne baker

Member since
February 2003
From: Medina, Ohio

Posted by wayne baker on Monday, March 3, 2003 11:03 AM

Anybody get Wings?Airpower magazine. They just did and article on the Jimmy Stewart movie. Lots of shots of a B36B interior and stills from the movie. Interestng if you like that sort of thing.

I may get so drunk, I have to crawl home. But dammit, I'll crawl like a Marine.

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Monday, March 3, 2003 12:17 PM

Yea. Not only did I get the magazine but I also have the movie. It has some great flying shots throughout the movie.

Berny

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 3, 2003 2:46 PM

Just to add more trivia about Jimmy Stewert. He was a General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He also flew B-52s over North Vietnam.

Sled 71

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 3, 2003 5:42 PM

Lindberg is credited with shooting down a Ki-51 "Sonia" observation AC.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 11:33 AM

A lot of today's Hollywood elite could take a lesson or two in patriotism and sacrafice from good ol' Jimmy Stewart.

As for Lindbergh, most research indicates that he was neither a Nazi sympathizer or a pacifist. Most of his statements in the late 30's and early 40's lean much more towards isolationism. (funny that the guy who brought Europe and America so much "closer" together, was an isolationist.) He didn't support or condemn Nazism, he just wanted America to leave it alone. He felt it was Europes problem, as did many Americans, pre Dec, 7.

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Friday, March 14, 2003 11:06 PM

G-G-G-Gee, Rusty, d'ya think that Charlie Lindbergh could get our B-36 to fly just a little farther? Don't worry honey, I'll be home for dinner...

GREAT FLICK! Now if I could only find it on DVD...

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mostlyjets

Member since
March 2003
From: Poway, Ca.

Posted by mostlyjets on Saturday, March 15, 2003 3:10 PM

If I'm not mistaken, I think Lindbergh is also mentioned in Pappy Boyingtons book Baa Baa Blacksheep.

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murph

Member since
January 2003
From: West of the rock and east of the hard place!

Posted by murph on Sunday, March 16, 2003 7:35 AM

I just finished reading Martin Caidin's Book, P-38: Fork-Tailed Devil. In this book, he mentions Lindbergh and his work on fuel conservation and finding the best power settings for fuel economy and he states that Lidbergh did this work with Corsair and Lightning units and that he shot down 2 Japanese aircraft...one while flying a Corsair and one while flying a Lightning...

for what it's worth

Retired and living the dream!

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